Slow starts have become a habit for Jedd Fisch, Washington football

In Jedd Fisch's third season as Washington Huskies' coach, his team has struggled to start games effectively, scoring just ten points from opening possessions in nine games. The only touchdown came against Eastern Washington, while Saturday's 14-play, 65-yard drive against Penn State, which ended in a field goal, marked the Huskies' most cohesive opening drive of the season.

However, one of only two drives in Big Ten play that didn't end in a three-and-out came to a halt after Fisch deployed a two-quarterback personnel package in the red zone. Following that, Washington's subsequent three drives spanned just nine plays and all ended in three-and-outs, gaining only eight yards. As the Huskies' defense faltered early, they found themselves in a 28-6 halftime deficit against Penn State, leading to a 28-25 loss.

Fisch expressed frustration about his team's slow starts, stating that he didn't have a satisfactory answer. He believed the team needed to start fast or moderately fast, but they had failed to do so, putting themselves in a hole. In their upcoming game against Michigan State, a Big Ten team that ranks No. 14 in scoring at 23.6 points per game, Fisch emphasized the importance of a strong start.

He reflected on the team's performance, praising the 14-play, 65-yard drive against Penn State but lamenting the lackluster defensive play and subsequent slow starts. The Huskies will need to address these issues if they hope to improve their record in the future.